HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year, concluded recently and Yom Kippur is just around the corner.
Rabbi Scott Colbert in Huntsville wants to share their religion with the growing community.
Temple B'nai Sholom has been in Huntsville since 1899 and it's the oldest standing synagogue in Alabama.
"The congregation was founded in 1876. There were enough people to build a congregation. All it took was ten adult Jews. And then in 1899, they obviously had enough to build this incredible building here on Lincoln and Clinton," Colbert said.
Rabbi Scott Colbert became the interim rabbi three months ago and he's making it his mission for the community of Huntsville to know they're here.
"What I'm seeing is a rebirth in this congregation. We are alive, we are thriving, and we want to serve this community as Temple B'nai Sholom has served since 1876."
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, came to a close Tuesday evening.
Colbert says this holiday happens during the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar at the conclusion of the harvest.
"Just like in the secular New Year on January 1st, it's a time to say, have I met the goals that I set for myself last year? What goals didn't I keep and how am I going to improve for the coming year? And of course, the whole idea of sin in Hebrew, the word is "Hhatah" and literally means 'missing the mark'."
And Yom Kippur, also known as the day of atonement and the holiest day, comes 10 days after the Jewish New Year, and it's a time for introspection.
"On Yom Kippur we have the opportunity to ask forgiveness from god, from our neighbor, from our community, from each other, and most importantly, to forgive ourselves."
Rabbi Colbert says they are a welcoming and inclusive Reform congregation, "our doors are open. We do not charge for holy day tickets. We would love to have as many people come here to observe Yom Kippur with us as possible."
And those who are not Jewish but are interested in learning more, Colbert invites you to attend their regular Sabbath eve services that happen on Friday evenings at 7PM.